The shipping campaign

My dear friend Karen started an awesome discussion on her blog about creators and whether or not they owe their fans anything. This is something I think about A LOT, and I actually have quite a few opinions on the topic. So instead of just vomiting my FEELS all over Karen's space, I thought I'd air my laundry here.

(Totally going to suggest you read her post first though. Just so you know where this is coming from. Also we’re going to talk about things in terms of the television process right now. That's the world I'm most familiar with - but just remember, this applies to all forms of media.)

So. The process of becoming a fan takes place because a person likes and forms an attachment to something. That may be a book, a show, a play, etc... That attachment makes a person feel like they are part owners in the selected interest. They relate to it, feel connected, believe in it, or identify to the thing they are devoted to... But, whether or not you are part of the creative process is up to the creator themselves. They can take your fandom suggestions and run with it, or they can completely ignore those opinions and thoughts and take things in a completely different direction.

That's their prerogative.

It is completely by CHOICE how much voice a show runner gives their audience. Maybe there is a nod here, a completely new story there, or the total demolition of what fandom wants. But regardless of how many letters there are, campaigns are run, projects are funded – a creator will do or not do as they choose. You can't force anyone to do anything.

Now, the question is, SHOULD the creator listen to their audience? Should the creative process be a discussion or a lecture?

Well... That's up for debate.

A show has to have an audience for it to survive. If people aren't watching, then a show can't stay on air. Period.

So in theory, it would make since for a show runner to let his audience control all decision making. The majority group would dictate where the show went and fans would continue to tune in because what they wanted to see happen – is happening. The runner would keep the show on TV and bills would continue to be paid.

But this option has several consequences.

FIRST - the show that the fans originally loved would be destroyed. What the group fell in love with was a show that blossomed out of one individuals mind. They created something that hooked a whole group of people. They wooed the audience and made them feel passionate about something. If they turn off their own creative juices to placate a group of extremely vocal fans, they're sacrificing their creation for financial (or popularity) gain.

SECOND - contrary to popular belief, people don't want to be blindly given what they’re asking for. Television is about conflict. There's literally nothing interesting to watch unless someone is being tortured at least a little bit. So! If your pairing is just thrown together because you say so, well, chances are that's going to get stale pretty damn fast.

So complete dictation doesn't work. Which means at some point or another, the show runner is going to have the majority annoyed with, impatient, or down right pissed at them; which means they're going to have to get used to heavy criticism quickly. Even when things are going well.

Now, that being said; what about compromise? Shouldn't a creator at least be willing to listen to their audience? Shouldn't they hear them out and mull over their suggestions? Isn't collaboration a gateway to unknown creative masterpieces?

This is a pretty decent option of storytelling. The give-and-take between creator and audience can be fantastic. Fans appreciate being heard but there is still one person with creative control willing to make unpopular decisions for the benefit of the story. What we as an audience have to be careful of though is that we're not breathing down the back of the writer. Silently pushing and trying to manipulate things isn't the best long term plan. Also, it’s kind of disrespectful to the creator. Shouldn't they have the freedom to do what they want with their show? Shouldn't we trust them to continue giving the audience content that’s interesting?

THAT BEING SAID – Networks, creators, and people holding the purse strings can’t support or create things that people want to see unless they know what we want. So speaking out and being vocal is important. If you want to see more diversity in a show, you need fans to ask for it. By talking about it, tweeting, and spreading the word you’re telling networks what to invest in. If the demand is loud enough, someone will show up to fill the void.

It’s difficult though, to always keep that discussion respectful. Because a show comes from a person – they have their own vision for what the story is about and where it is going. And this THING they've created is theirs. It doesn't belong to the fans, even though they are crucial for its survival. At the end of the day, the audience has to let their own desires go, and just hope for an entertaining honest journey. If they don’t like what they’re seeing, they should talk about it, they should ask what they want, and then they should decide if they want to keep watching.

Now, when it comes to a specific group mobilizing to support a ship or a plot line  I have to say I see it as a very delicate line to walk. How a campaign is run matters. Whether it’s respectful, honest, kind… Those things count for something. I've seen groups do some legitimate good in the name of their ships. But a campaign is a campaign for a reason. There is an end goal.

So, if for instance a campaign sprung up around the union of two characters, what happens if that pairing never becomes canon? Does this group begin to feel hurt and betrayed? Do they have a right to? Especially if the show runners have been supportive and inclusive to the group… Do they begin to feel entitled since they've worked so hard to bring attention to what they want?

I suppose to me, if you enjoy something you have to enjoy IT and not the idea of what it could become. Supporting a potential pairing is not about the show – it’s about what the show COULD be. If you think it has potential, then you should create and support things that explore that possibility – like in fic or art. That’s your territory. That’s where you can go hog wild. But if you’re a fan of something, wouldn't you want to declare your love to it and not to just a specific portion of fandom?

Supporting a show is about supporting the creator. And the creator needs the freedom to create in a no-strings-attached environment, where people aren't subtly pushing their agenda. Sure you want to get attention for your ship. We all do with our respective one true pairings. But if you broaden the goal to include all ships and pairings, everyone will benefit and the show runners won’t feel held hostage by your kindness.

In conclusion: Focus on supporting good content, not just the content you hope to see. That’s the kind of help creators want and need.